My Dad had a heart bypass last week and has been poorly ( HR 200, low BP, vomiting etc.). He's more or less stable now but has no appetite at all and the hospital food is yuk. The Docs. have said if he doesn't get some food down esp. protein he's going to be in big trouble , wounds opening up and stuff.

Please, can anyone suggest tasty morsels of (esp. protein type) food that are easy to get down? (trouble swallowing too)

We rushed back to the hospital last night with some boiled egg mayo. and some chicken soup but ANY suggestion gratefully received.

Thanks,
Kath.

Hi Kath

Sorry that your Dad is feeling so poorly. Have you thought of taking him some Complan? http://www.complanfoods.com/ I had to look it up on the internet to check that it was still made!

This would have the benefit of him drinking it, which might be easier for him if he is having trouble swallowing and it seems to contain everything he needs, including the protein.

Hope this helps, and please let us know how he gets on. It must be very worrying for you, but I am sure in a few days he'll perk up again.

Lesley

Sorry to hear about your dad Kath, hope he gets eating soon :) How about some ripe avacado, it`s very nourishing & pretty light on the tum, on it`s own or maybe with some poached salmon fillet flaked over it with a light dressing? You won`t have to keep that hot. Other than the chicken soup I can`t think really.

Christine, Spain.

Thanks guys, those are great ideas. We're going to take more food in today and I'll also make a list for him to choose what he wants ( and if doesn't want, I'll choose for him!) so keep the ideas coming.

Many thanks,
Kath.

Starting to wake up a bit now Kath:) What about some nice dried figs/dates & nuts organic, they`re in season now & they`re full of vit`s as well. He could nibble on them when he felt like.
Also do you know how to make consomme? More or less the same as ch/soup but you use beef marrow bones. I made some for me mum when she wasn`t well & she managed to drink it, very light & easy on the tum.

Christine, Spain.

Thanks Christine.
He's never been able to eat nuts but I'll add the fruit to the list as he usually likes those. I'll have a go with the consomme (or get Mum to do it!!). Typical isn't it?, Bess is knawing a huge marrow bone as I type this. I know she'd willingly donate it but I don't think Dad would thank her for it! :D

Kath.

Here`s the cheats method for it if you`ve got a pressure cooker :)
Cook the marrow bones with some veg, carrots/leeks/celery/onion for couple of hrs, strain, when cool put in fridge till fat has gone hard & take it off. Use liquid to cook mince or stewing beef with fresh carrots/leeks/onion/celery & gravy browning to desired colouring, time depends on what meat you use but about an hour, strain, leave to go cold & again remove fat when its hardened, add seasoning then enjoy!! :)

Christine, Spain.

kath

the best thing to do is liquidise his favourite food and then get them to heat it up !!

HTH

Lucy
xx

Thanks Christine,
I've printed that out for Mum. Definately a job for her as I once used a pressure cooker and it scared me to death. I never plucked up courage again. :D

Hi Lucy,
Good idea, thanks. (apple crumble soup?) ;) I've been trying to post this on the Lab Resc. site this morning to get even more ideas but I can't get on it for some reason.

Kath. xx

Hi Kath,
sorry to hear about your dad.
my mum was very ill a few years ago (lost her to cancer 2 yrs ago!)
when mum couldn't face food I tried............small tubs creamed rice, pot shot yogourts, small(pot shot size)jelly , it was something in her tummy......and didn't put her off as the small sized tubs didn't look much.........hope this is a help.
Sandra X

Hi Sandra,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum.

Thanks for your help. He's been a bit better today and has actually managed a couple of yoghurts. We gave him the Bio ones as he's been on antibiotics. You're right, he's finding it a lot less daunting eating a small tub than being faced with a big one. He's also had a bit of salmon and said that he'd try some Complan tomorrow, though he did screw his face up in disgust THEN ask me "what is Complan?" MEN!!!

Kath. x

Glad to hear your Dad is feeling a bit better today, Kath. I hope he enjoys his Complan tomorrow!!!

Lesley